The State filed the charges with the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court. The Prosecution will pursue a moral turpitude conviction as well, which – if applied – will make it virtually impossible for Lieberman to run for public office.

The State amended the original indictment against Lieberman; but while the charges of fraud and breach of trust remained unchanged, the new indictment aggressively pursues the moral turpitude clause, by presenting new details implicating Lieberman of abuse of authority.

Much of the breach of trust case focuses on Lieberman’s alleged involvement in the promotion of former Israeli Ambassador to Belarus Zeev Ben Aryeh within the Diplomatic Corps – to the post of ambassador to Latvia.

The promotion was allegedly promised to Ben Aryeh after he gave Lieberman secret details pertaining to a criminal investigation against him in a case which has since been closed.

Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein presented the amended indictment on Thursday.

‘The truth will come out in court’

According to sources in the State Prosecutor’s Office, the revisions were made possible following the deposition of Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon.

Ayalon, who will not be a part of Yisrael Beiteinu’s future Knesset roster, is expected to be the State’s key witness against his former boss.

Other names on the Prosecution’s witness list include former Foreign Ministry Director general Yossi Gal, who is currently the Ambassador to France; and former head of the Foreign Ministry’s Personnel Directorate Shimon Roded, who is currently the Ambassador to Thailand.

Lieberman has repeatedly professed his innocence: “I say again – I have not committed any criminal offence. I’ve asked the Knesset to remove my parliamentary immunity and I wish for nothing more than for this to be made clear in a court of law.

“The rumors about a plea bargain are not true. The truth will come out in court.”

Another top Israeli official bites the dust. Avigdor Lieberman’s sudden resignation from top Israeli politics and his subsequent indictment (fraud and breach of trust) is pretty much in line with criminal charges faced by other top Israeli politicians of recent times: Ariel Sharon (bribery, embezzlement); Ehud Olmert (corruption, bribery); Moshe Katsav (rape, perjury).

A state built on injustice and oppression can only expect immorality and greed from its own leaders